They're back.

Reports about the demise of DREAM appear to have been premature, as the Japanese promotion will be back with a mixed martial arts (MMA) card in late July, although the date is not yet confirmed, and will be headlined by a fight between Shinya Aoki and Kazushi Sakuraba.

MMAmania.com today (May 10, 2012) confirmed an initial report by Fight Sport Asia (via Bloody Elbow) with sources close to one of the fight camps.

Sakuraba is 42 years old and riding a four fight losing streak but remains a legend in Japan where he is immensely popular. Aoki is more of a polarizing figure but he is DREAM's most marketable fighter and saw a seven fight win streak snapped by Eddie Alvarez at Bellator recently.

Who will prevail in this battle of submission skills?

The fight is believed to be taking place in the welterweight division meaning that Aoki will be moving up in weight for the first time since losing to Hayato Sakurai in 2009. Sakuraba has not fought since September 2011 and this could well be his final fight.

Stay tuned for more details on this pending match-up as they become available.

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